Geomorphological map of the Alpe Veglia hollow (Lepontine Alps): A resource for the management of geomorphological heritage

Geomorphological mapping is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool in geoheritage analysis, as the information depicted on such maps aids territorial entities in assessing the physical conditions of geoheritage sites and the active processes affecting geotouristic trails. In natural protected areas, geoconservation and promotion must be carefully balanced to ensure site preservation and visitor safety, particularly during extreme meteorological events. A thorough understanding of the geomorphological dynamics characterizing an environment enables more strategic planning of geotouristic offerings. This study presents a geomorphological map of the Alpe Veglia hollow in the Northern Italian Lepontine Alps, at a scale of 1:25,000. The map depicts landforms typical of alpine settings, primarily associated with ice, snow, permafrost, gravity, and water action, and modulated by bedrock conditions. Furthermore, the proposal for reinterpreted versions of the map—referred to as Geobox—is described, in which only selected geomorphological features of ten identified geomorphosites are mapped, allowing users to explore the underlying dynamics through an efficient and intuitive cartographic product.